THE SAWUNTWARI INSURRECTION. 37 



neither harmed nor alarmed him, as I 

 presently saw him perch among the 

 topmost boughs of a high tree some 

 distance in advance. 



As I walked quietly towards the tree, 

 I saw the comical looking head with 

 its huge aquiline beak, regarding me 

 through a fork in the branch ; and I 

 account it one of the best shots I ever 

 made, when I sent a ball from a light, 

 smooth-bore Westley Richards through 

 the head just at its junction with the 

 handsome orange-coloured helmet which 

 surmounts it. Down came the toucan 

 with outspread wings, dead apparently ; 

 but when my peon Manoel raised him by 

 the thick muscular neck, he fastened his 

 great claws on his hand, and made the 

 wood resound with a succession of roars 



